As part of the 2021 budget, every single Alderperson received $100,000 to support community-based programs and organizations. I believe that how each Alderperson spent these city-funded microgrants says something about their values, their approach, their openness to collaboration, their boldness, and above all else a recognition of the needs of the communities they represent.

I decided to spend these funds in several ways: A cash assistance program run by HANA Center, funding for a mobile skatepark for youth, Israel Gift of Hope for a community-center, anti-gun violence efforts, and Ada Garcia, formerly of Anchor Baby, who worked with North Branch Works to launch a new small business incubator called Urban Markets. Urban Markets, located at 4432 N Kedzie, officially opened today and I was extremely fortunate to attend the grand opening.

In This Week’s Newsletter

Quick Links 

*Want more information on community opportunities and job postings? Check out our Community Bulletin!

33rd Ward Office Will Be Closed for the Holidays

Our office will be closed for the holidays starting on December 22, 2022, and we will reopen on January 4, 2023. If you need our support please stop by our office, give us a call, or send an email no later than Wednesday (12/21) so we can assist you. 

Participatory Budgeting 2023

Voting for participatory budgeting is now open! You can register to vote electronically here.  Once registered you will receive an email with voting instructions. You may also vote in person at our office, Roosevelt High School, or Carl Von Linne Elementary School.

If you would like to volunteer to get out the PB vote, please fill out this form or contact Stacy in our office by email: Stacy@33rdward.org

Winter Snow Shoveling Program

With winter quickly approaching, we would like to get a head start with our annual Snow Shoveling Program. Each year this program matches snow shoveling volunteers with those in need of the service, i.e seniors and people with disabilities. If you are interested in volunteering or need the snow shoveling service, please use this link to ensure your spot in the program. Once you enroll, we will be in contact with you to ensure you have all the information you need for this program.

Currently, there is a push for a city-wide ordinance by Better Streets Chicago that seeks to establish sidewalk snow and ice removal become service for all citizens. Click here to read more.

Talking Trash with Eric Ramos

The other week the ward experienced a great deal of graffiti! However, we managed to take care of it very quickly. Arriving on the scene of an instance I put in the day before, I spoke to one of the graffiti blasters, Mike. He let me know that the spot we were at had 5 tickets on it alone! This is a wonderful thing. That means residents are using the 311 system to put these in. Fortunately in most cases, the streets & sans graffiti removal crews have a 24 hour turnaround or even LESS! Residents who feel empowered to call these things out show how we can all help to have a cleaner and safer ward. Thank you to those using the system and to everyone else, I encourage you to give it a shot. Or you’re always welcome to call the office or me for help.

Shared Cost Sidewalk Program

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program is an extremely popular voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation.

The Shared Cost Sidewalk Program cost per square foot charged to property owners is well below what a private contractor would charge. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may qualify for a further discounted rate.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of participants is based on availability of funds. The program typically reaches capacity quickly, so you are encouraged to apply early. Please note that if you applied for the program in previous years, you must apply again in 2023 if you wish to be considered for the 2023 program.

Applications will only be accepted through the City’s 311 system by calling 311, through the City’s service request website, or through the free CHI311 mobile apps. The property owner’s contact information and the property address are required at the time of request.

Applications open on January 9, 2023 and will be available from 6 AM to 10 PM

For more information, click here.

Neighborhood Events

1. Arte, Salud y Tradición, December 17th

2. Winter Pop-Up Market, December 18th

Youth Opportunities

1. NewHouse Architecture & Design Competition

The annual Newhouse Architecture + Design Competition showcases the talents of Chicago-area high school students who create projects that solve real-world problems. This competition gives students an opportunity to practice and refine design skills and create a project that could be part of their portfolio. It inspires teens to understand why design matters by researching, representing, and redesigning the built environment to solve challenges that are personal and place based. This is their 41st Annual Newhouse Competition, and the theme for this year is, “Sustainability Through the Lens of Biophilia.” Teenagers can participate to win prizes such as boat cruise tickets, cash prizes, and meeting professionals in the field.

2. CPS Families Child Tax Credit

Chicago Public Schools families may be eligible for up to $3,600 per child through the expanded federal Child Tax Credit program.

To find out if you’re eligible, and to apply for this credit, visit GetCTC.org/chicagops, a simplified tax filing tool that takes just a few minutes to complete and does not require any tax documents. Some families may also be eligible for an additional $1,400 stimulus payment. Families have until mid-November to claim this money. More information can be found on this flier.

3. Skating, Hockey and Figure Skating Workshops, Sundays from Now – December 18th

Chicago Youth Foundation is a proud women-led initiative that brings the joy of ice sports to Chicago youth to improve their social and academic well-being and empowering them to find success through sportsmanship and teamwork. Below are the 3 FREE classes children can choose from.

Learn to Skate Workshop (for children that do not know how to skate)

• Students will learn the proper skating techniques needed to participate in our hockey or figure skating programs.
• Ice skates will be provided; Students must bring their own helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and warm gloves
• Students should wear layers; including long sleeve shirt, light jacket, sweatshirt, with leggings, sweatpants, or jeans.

Hockey on your Block (for children that already know how to skate and would like to learn how to play hockey)

• Students will learn the proper techniques of advanced skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, and playmaking.
• Hockey skates will be provided
• Students must bring their own hockey equipment and stick

Figure Skating on Your Block (for children that already know how to skate and would like to learn figure skating)

• Provides a safe and fun environment with group skating instruction that follows the framework of United States Figure Skating (USFS) to serve the needs of both recreational and competitive skaters.
• Figure skates can be provided 
• Helmets are optional.

Class size is limited to only the first 40 students who register online. If your children would like to participate in our 2022 fall workshops click this link.

Small Business Spotlight: W Lawrence Ave

Earlier this week, my staff and I visited several businesses in our ward, and we would like to highlight those on (or near) W Lawrence Ave. We visited El Dorado Jewelry, Tailwind Cycles, La Ordeña, Los Primos Grocery, and Bon Vivant Cakes (a new business in the 33rd Ward). These businesses and others have been added to our Holiday Gift Guide. Feel free to check it out for any last-minute holiday shopping! If you don’t see your favorite business on the list, or would like to add your own, please use this form.

Stay tuned next week to see whom we spotlight next!

Queen of Angels Open House, January 17th

Click here to sign up today.

Free CTA Rides on New Year’s Eve

Like past years, CTA is offering free rides on buses and trains on New Year’s Eve, from 10 PM to 4 AM. This free service system allows CTA to help residents make it to their destination in a safe and reliable way. During the free-ride period, customers do not need to touch their Ventra or personal bankcards at rail station turnstiles or while boarding buses. Signs will be posted reminding customers of the free ride period on bus fareboxes. As in past years, no refunds will be issued if customers elect to touch their fare card or other form of payment on fare-card readers during the free-ride period. 

For customers traveling to and from events around Chicago this New Year’s Eve outside the free ride period, the CTA recommends purchasing fares in advance, which will decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail station vending machines. Customers can add our permanently discounted, unlimited ride passes (1-day is $5, 3-day is $15, and 7-day is $20) or add money to their Ventra cards for pay-per-ride via the following ways: free Ventra app, rail station Ventra vending machines, online or at nearly  1,300 local retailers – for locations visit ventrachicago.com. 

The Restaurant Strong Fund, Deadline to Apply is TODAY

To support restaurant owners in their efforts to winterize their outdoor dining spaces and increase capacity for guests, The Restaurant Strong Fund will be providing $10,000 grants to restaurants. These grants will be limited to restaurants with 5 or less locations and within Chicago city limits. 

Restaurants have the opportunity to apply for this grant by providing specific plans on winterizing their outdoor dining spaces. 

To qualify for the grant assistance program restaurants must satisfy the following requirements:

• completed application form
• 5 or less locations of the restaurant or restaurant ownership group
• A detailed explanation of need and plan for winterization of outdoor spaces
• information on how the grant will impact your business and projected growth
• restaurant capacity for both interior and exterior dining spaces
• if awarded, must agree to send photos with an update of the setup.

For more information and to apply, please visit www.restaurantstrong.org

DFSS Rental Assistance Program (RAP) – Accepting Applications

The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) provides funding to Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless. RAP helps Chicagoans who have housing right now, but who may become homeless soon because they lost income or had another eligible emergency which prevents them from paying rent. 

RAP is open to all Chicago residents regardless of legal immigration status. The period to apply is Tuesday, December 7, 2021 to Monday, December 27, 2021–Midnight

ASSISTANCE MAY INCLUDE:

• Payment of future rent, or rent arrears to prevent eviction
• Security deposits in cases of fire, flood, foreclosure, domestic violence, or eviction

YOU ARE ELIGIBLE IF:

• You live in the City of Chicago
• You are at risk of becoming homeless due to eviction, loss of income or other emergency
• You economically classify as a low-income household
• Your landlord completes the RAP requirements

OPTIONS TO PROVE ELIGIBILITY:

• Eviction notice, proof of loss of income or proof of other qualifying emergency
• Paystub, benefits statement, or affidavit (explanation) of no income
• Driver’s License, State ID, CityKey, or other
• Lease
• Landlord agreement forms

Apply online: https://chicago.cap-portal.com/

Immigrant Family Support Program

If you or someone you know is an undocumented citizen living in Illinois and was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may qualify for a $2,000 grant!

To apply or to check your eligibility, call the FSN hot line 1-855-435-7693, email covidfund@icirr.org, or visit their website icirr.org/covidil for more information.

Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) Relaunch

IHDA has opened a new round of the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) to help homeowners who continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the trends they have identified during the first round of applications, they have doubled the maximum ILHAF grant amount from $30,000 to $60,000! This grant can cover overdue mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and association fees.

To date, ILHAF has provided $32.5 million to help 2,346 Illinois homeowners avoid foreclosure. Doubling their assistance amount to $60,000 will allow for them to help even more homeowners remain in their homes as they navigate inflation fears, changing market conditions, and continue to support the state’s overall recovery from the pandemic.

Households who need help with past-due mortgage payments and related expenses can apply for free assistance at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org until Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. If you would like to learn more or share ILHAF information with your communities, you can find a downloadable ILHAF outreach toolkit in both English and Spanish at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org/toolkit-mortgage.

If you have questions about ILHAF, please call at 1-866-ILHELP-1 (1-866-454-3571) or email them at HAFQuestions@ihda.org.

Volunteer at Nourishing Hope Food Pantry

Nourishing Hope is seeking volunteers this holiday season! To become a volunteer you will need to apply on their website. If you are unable to volunteer Nourishing Hope is taking donations from those who would prefer to support food insecure citizens monetarily. 

Help Feed Your Food Insecure Neighbors This Holiday Season

The Peterson & Pulaski Business & Industrial Council, in partnership with the Friendship Center, will be collecting non-perishable food to distribute to those in need through the end of December 2022. Here is a list of the most needed items. The drop off location for donations is 2711 W Lawrence Ave.

If you have any questions, contact Janita Tucker at jtucker@ppbic.org or 773-860-3929.

Trilogy Winter Clothing Drive

Trilogy is a community mental health agency located in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. This year they are having a winter clothing drive for Chicagoans in need. If you are able to donate they are accepting donations in Albany Park at 3737 W Lawrence Ave Monday through Thursday from 11am – 4pm. If you have questions on what kind of clothing items they are looking for, please contact them at (773)- 508-6100. 

Swedish Hospital Health & Wellness Events, Fall & Winter 

Below you can find a list of upcoming community events hosted by Swedish Hospital. All events are free and RSVP is required to attend. If there are any questions they ask that you give them a call at 773-878-6888 or visit their website at swedishcovenant.org/events. 

• Family Fridays: a two hour “open house style” event featuring fun activities, nutrition lessons, food samples, seasonal tips, and more for families. Stop by at anytime during the event time.
  • Friday, December 16: 4:30 – 6:30 PM
• “More Color” Nutrition Workshop: This one-hour interactive workshop is designed to help families with meal planning, cooking and healthy eating by focusing on tips and tricks to incorporate more color into every meal. Includes hands-on nutrition activities for parents and kids along with recipes, cooking demos, taste testing and more
  • Tuesday, December 20: 4:30 – 5:30 PM
• Monthly Cooking Series: This class features tips on meal planning, shopping on a budget, and incorporating healthy foods daily. It is part of their monthly cooking series, led by Annie Scott, Community Outreach Registered Dietitian.
  • Tuesday, December 20: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
• Teen Hangout: Designed especially for students in 8th through 12th grade, this monthly gathering creates a safe space for fun, games, snacks and more. Stop by to hang out with friends, work with a study group, participate in a community service project, play board games or join in various topical discussions. Light refreshments provided.
  • Wednesday, December 28: 4:30 – 6:00 PM

Business Resources

1. Business Grant Applications

• Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grants– provides stable, predictable funding to support high-quality child care and invest in critical child care workforce. Eligible businesses:
  • are licensed as a child care center, child care home, or group child care home. 
  • have been in operation since March 2021 and continue to care for children today. 
  • operate full-day and full-year, defined as a program that is open and offering at least eight consecutive hours of care per day, five days per week. 
  • Applications are due December 22, 2022
• Founder’s First Grant — A total of $100,000 will be awarded to 30 businesses in Chicago in the form of cash and full-tuition scholarships to a stellar accelerator.
  • Grant money can be used as growth capital to hire or rehire premium wage jobs.
  • Cash infusion can be used to purchase, fix or enhance equipment necessary to help you manage growth challenges and scale for the future.
  • Founder identifies as one of the following: Latinx, Black, Asian, Women, LGBTQIA+, Military Veteran, or located in a Low to Moderate Income area.
  • TO QUALIFY: Must be located in the state of Illinois and have a current staff of 2-20 employees. Will have the ability to add 1-2+ net new premium wage jobs in the next 12 months. Your company must be a service-based business and at least one revenue stream serving other businesses. Must be a for-profit company with annual revenues between $100K and $3 million.
  • The application deadline is February 4, 2023.  Please email chicago.jobcreators@foundersfirstcdc.org with any questions about the Job Creators Quest Grant.
• Innovations for Healthy Living – Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities funding opportunity
  • Granted by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) as part of the America’s Seed Fund. This opportunity is for eligible SBIR/STTR entities to develop technologies and products that address health disparities while engaging and empowering individuals and communities.
• Upskilling Initiative
  • Provides professional development grants to businesses that serve employees aged fifty (50) and older who are currently earning up to $16 an hour. Training funds will be disbursed in $2,000 increments, pending a guaranteed commitment from the employer of a $1.50 or more per hour wage increase respectively after the training is complete.

• HerRise Micro-Grant
  • Provides financial assistance, with the help of our corporate sponsors and donors, to women of color creating innovative solutions that impact their community and that are often unable to secure funding for their small business. Each month a $500 micro-grant will be awarded to a small business owned by women of color.
  • Small business grants are useful for financing a particular small business need. Past recipients used their growth grants for computers, equipment, marketing materials, software purchase, website creation and more.

For more business grant information please, visit North River Commission’s website.

Employment Opportunities

1. Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club is hiring

For a full list of open positions and jobs descriptions click here.

2. St. Mary of Providence is hiring a Direct Support Person (DSP)

3. Tapestry 360 Health now hiring

Tapestry 360 Health is hiring Medical Assistants ($500 hiring bonus), Medical Receptionists ($500 hiring bonus), Call Center Representatives ($500 hiring bonus), and Nurses ($3000 hiring bonus). 

Tapestry 360 Health, formerly known as Heartland Health Centers, is a federally qualified health center with 16 locations serving Chicago’s north side and nearby suburbs, offering affordable and comprehensive primary care, oral health care, and behavioral health care services. 

4. CTA’s Find a Job Fridays

MonkeyPox Resources

The monkeypox virus is spread through close contact with body fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets (kissing, coughing, sneezing, etc.).

Vaccinations for MPV are currently available in Chicago for adults 18 and up. Because of the limited availability of vaccines, you must meet the eligibility requirements outlined by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

COVID-19 Resources

1. At-Home Vaccinations:

Get your whole family vaccinated at home! CDPH is offering vaccination appointments at home for up to 10 family members. Click here to set up your appointment!

2. Receive Your Updated COVID-19 Vaccine At Home!

3. Vaccinations

CPS Students: 

– Permanent sites
– Mobile Events
– School-Based Health Centers
–  Sign up for weekly COVID testing at CPS

33rd Ward Vaccination Events

1. Theodore Roosevelt High School

2. Swedish Hospital: Walk-In’s Welcome

* More information on City testing sites here!

Community Safety Updates

1. 17th District CAPS Meetings

The 17th District has resumed beat meetings in-person. 

Information about Beat Meetings here.

Please contact the 17th District Community Policing Office / CAPS, if there are any questions or concerns.

Email: caps.017district@chicagopolice.org

Telephone: 312-742-4588